After Marouane Fellaini put the visitors ahead, a Carlos Tevez penalty saved a point for the Premier League champions as the Everton goalscorer was adjudged to have brought down Edin Dzeko.

The draw means they fall three points behind title rivals Manchester United ahead of their derby clash next weekend.

Mancini pinned the blame on what he perceives to be a striking problem, but was also of the opinion that the issue was not caused by a lack of effort and is one that will soon be resolved.

"In this moment, we are not very strong with our strikers. We need them to score more goals. They are four top strikers but this can happen during the season," he told reporters.

"It is important they work hard like they worked today. Dzeko, Tevez, Sergio [Aguero], Mario [Balotelli] - in this moment we are like this but I think we will solve this problem."

The Italian also defended his substitution policy as, after invoking the ire of the City supporters by replacing Tevez instead of the ineffectual Dzeko, he cited Everton's threat at set pieces as the main reason behind the move.

"I have my reason for this. I am not stupid. I understand the supporters. For the supporters, if I put on four strikers and take off four defenders, they are happy. But football is not like this," he continued.

"Everton can score only from set-pieces. I needed one or two players that could also help the defenders in this situation.

"I also thought that Dzeko could score one goal in that moment, not because Carlos [Tevez] played worse than Dzeko. Carlos [Tevez] played very well."